Only rain can help the Indians from suffering a whitewash, unless Tendlukar gets his bat to do some serious talking, surpassing the expectations of the people of the country. During the series, every time he has come to bat the world has expected him to score the much-awaited century, but so far there has only been disappointment in store. Now he needs another 65 runs to reach the magical figure, but to save the match, he needs to bat through the day.
Next in line will be an out-of-form Suresh Raina and the unpredictable Dhoni, the only two recognised players left in the batting line-up.
On the fourth day, India showed some resistance, again thanks to the 'Wall' Rahul Dravid, who got out for a unfortunate decision by the third umpire. Sehwag too showed some good form but failed to capitalise on his innings. Laxman, who has struggled most part of the series, failed again.
Rahul Dravid, speaking after the match, said that "I got an edge. My gut instinct was right in the last match when I didn't take the review and it was right again today. It is a nice feeling in terms of numbers (to go past Sunny Gavaskar), but I never compare myself to him. He is an absolute legend of the game, to have played without a helmet in that era."
"For me to have done some of the things my hero did is a nice feeling. Mixed feelings for me. Personally, satisfying for me. I thought I have played as good as I have. I have enjoyed the battles and the contests in the middle. For someone who has seen a lot of success with the team, this series has been a disappointment. The new batting orders are not ideal but it can't be used as an excuse at this level."
Either way it promises to be a fascinating final day in store. What a final day of the series it should be. We'll bring you all the action as it happens. Do stay tuned for the Rahul Dravid interview which we will bring it to you soon. Breaking news: Rahul Dravid has indeed confirmed that he edged it. So there ends the debate. We will bring you the entire interview that he will give in a short while.
Mishra has batted superbly in both the innings and along with Dravid was responsible for India getting to 300 for the first time in the series. Swann looks to be a great threat on this rapidly deteriorating wicket and India will have to bat amazingly well to save the game. Whether they have the will to save this match and avoid a white-wash after the trauma they have undergone remains to be seen.
Steve Davis gave it out despite clear lack of evidence and that has sadly proved to be the talking point of the day. Frankly it shouldn't. The talking point should have been Rahul Dravid's 35th hundred. It always happens to that man. The nth instance when one of his glorious knocks has been overshadowed by a Tendulkar or a bizzare one like today when he was given out by the third umpire.
MOHAN AT HYDERABAD NIZAM THRONE PLACE JUBILEE HALL
Early cricket was at some time or another described as "a club striking a ball the ancient games of club-ball, stool-ball, trap-ball, stob-ball". Cricket can definitely be traced back to Tudor times in early 16th-century England. Written evidence exists of a game known as creag being played by Prince Edward, the son of Edward I (Longshanks), at Newenden, Kent in 1301and there has been speculation, but no evidence, that this was a form of cricket.
A number of other words have been suggested as sources for the term "cricket". In the earliest definite reference to the sport in 1598, it is called creckett. Given the strong medieval trade connections between south-east England and the County of Flanders when the latter belonged to the Duchy of Burgundy, the name may have been derived from the Middle Dutch krick, meaning a stick ; or the Old English cricc or cryce meaning a crutch or staff. In Old French, the word criquet seems to have meant a kind of club or stick. In Samuel Johnson's Dictionary, he derived cricket from "cryce, Saxon, a stick".[9] Another possible source is the Middle Dutch word krickstoel, meaning a long low stool used for kneeling in church and which resembled the long low wicket with two stumps used in early cricket. According to Heiner Gillmeister, a European language expert of Bonn University, "cricket" derives from the Middle Dutch phrase for hockey, met de (krik ket)sen (i.e., "with the stick chase"). Dr Gillmeister believes that not only the name but the sport itself is of Flemish origin
In professional cricket the length of a game ranges from 20 overs of six bowling deliveries per side to Test cricket played over five days. The Laws of Cricket are maintained by the International Cricket Council and the Marylebone Cricket Club with additional Standard Playing Conditions for Test matches and One Day Internationals.
Cricket was first played in southern England in the 16th century. By the end of the 18th century, it had developed into the national sport of England. The expansion of the British Empire led to cricket being played overseas and by the mid-19th century the first international matches were being held. The ICC, the game's governing body, has ten full members.
Cricket is a bat-and-ball game played between two teams of 11 players on an oval-shaped field, at the centre of which is a rectangular 22-yard long pitch. One team bats, trying to score as many runs as possible while the other team bowls and fields, trying to dismiss the batsmen and thus limit the runs scored by the batting team. A run is scored by the striking batsman hitting the ball with his bat, running to the opposite end of the pitch and touching the crease there without being dismissed. The teams switch between batting and fielding at the end of an innings.
